//------------------------------// // Family Matters // Story: Guilt: An Applejack Story // by CapNTilfy //------------------------------// "Hoo-wee! That shower was just what I needed." Said Applejack, now fully clothed. "Maybe playing a game or two will keep me occupied." FarmGurlAJ has logged in. I hope someone's on right now... Dashin8r is offline. "Nope, she's with Sunset right now." SunShimPwny is offline. "No surprise there, she's sick." Fashionista_4_life is offline. "No surprise either, she hardly plays to begin with." Flutterbutter is offline. "Again, no surprise." P0nk4_P0 is offline. "Huh. She must be at a party or something." Twi_Sparky73 is offline. "Well, damn. Guess it's just me then." Applejack frowned. ---------------------------------------------- Finished with her game, Applejack checked her phone. Uh, guys? Sunset started sweating like crazy, and she tried to take off her clothes in front of me! I had to turn down the temperature to stop her!- Sent by Rainbow Dash I didn't know Sunset swung that way!- Sent by Pinkie Pie No, Pinkie, it means her fever's breaking! She's on the road to recovery!- Sent by Twilight Sparkle Finally, some good news!- Sent by Rarity Applejack put her thoughts into her text. Well it's about damn time!- Sent by Applejack After she sent her text, she saw Granny Smith standing beside her. Applejack gave a startled yelp and nearly fell off the couch. Granny Smith laughed. "Sorry 'bout that, Applejack. I was just checkin' in and seeing how you was doing." Applejack sighed. "It's been a rough day. Or haven't you noticed?" she said sourly as she rolled her eyes. Granny gave her a look. "I'm sorry, Granny. It's been frustrating having this hang over my head like a dark cloud." Applejack said as she put her head in her hands. Granny Smith smiled. "It's okay, I understand. I know you've been struggling, Applejack, and if you ever want to talk about it, me, Big Mac and Apple Bloom are here for you." crack Applejack winced, but this went unseen by her grandmother. "Thanks, Granny. I love you." she said as she hugged Granny Smith. "Aww, I love you too." Granny Smith returned the hug. "We'll always be here for you, hon. Always." she said as she broke the hug and left the room. After a while, Applejack found her thoughts racing. I wish I could get this damn dream out of my head. Everything was fine and dandy until early this morning! thought Applejack, clenching her fists in frustration. She looked outside, watching the sun set over the horizon. I'm not so sure I want to fall asleep tonight. Feeling tears stream down her face, Applejack hugged herself in an effort to calm down. Where is everyone? I don't want to be alone! She heard footsteps approaching her. Apple Bloom entered the room and hugged her sister tightly. "You're not alone. You have your family!" Applejack came to the realization that she must not have thought it, but said it out loud. That didn't matter, however, as she was too preoccupied crying into Apple Bloom's hair. At first, they were tears of sadness. Then, they became tears of frustration. Once she finished, she sighed. "Thanks, Apple Bloom. I needed that." "Don't mention it." her younger sister said. "Been having a tough day, huh?" "And then some. Just don't ask me how work went." "I can't even imagine." Apple Bloom said, still hugging her older sister. "I'm really worried about you, Applejack. Why don't you just tell me what happened?" At this point I'll try anything, thought Applejack. She sighed and took a calming breath. "It happened when you were still just a baby, so you were too young to know what was going on." Apple Bloom nodded in understanding. "I was trying to play a prank on Ma and Pa." Applejack said, slowly growing visibly uncomfortable. "I...I..." Applejack could feel herself tearing up again. "I can't do this! I just can't! I want to, but it's like there's this huge obstacle keeping me from going any further." As she felt her frustration grow, she felt a small crack form inside her. She winced as if in pain. Apple Bloom regarded her sister with concern. "I just don't wan't this to drive you any crazier that it already has." Applejack calmed herself slightly. "I know, sugarcube, and I appreciate that. I just...have a lot on my mind. I'm scared, sad, overwhelmed, and so many other things at the moment." "I understand." said Apple Bloom. "But if you need me, Big Mac, Granny Smith or your friends, you know where to find us!" she hugged Applejack. "Love ya, big sis!" Applejack returned the hug. "Love you too, little sis." She went upstairs to go to bed. ---------------------------------------------- As Applejack changed into her pajamas, she became increasingly afraid of what dream or dreams she might have. She was worried that her next dream might be worse than the last. Just stay calm, Applejack. she thought to herself. You have friends and family on your side. It was just a dream. It was just a dream. Applejack frowned. Then why did it bother me so much? She found herself pacing around her bedroom back and forth. "AJ?" asked a baritone voice. "Big Mac? Is that you?" she answered. "Eeyup." he answered, saying one of his oft-used phrases as he entered her room. "Got somethin' on your mind?" she asked her older brother. "Actually, I could say the same thing to you." Big Mac responded. Applejack sighed. "I think you know what's going on." "Of course I do. I was there, and I was old enough to understand what happened." said Big Mac. "Applejack, it wasn't your fault!" crack Applejack winced. "But if it wasn't for me, Ma and Pa would still be alive!" "They died because they were trying to protect you!" Big Mac's voice rose in volume. "And they wouldn't have had to protect me if I hadn't told them-" crack Applejack winced again. Big Mac took notice. "Maybe you should lie down. Relax. No need to tax yourself any further than you already have." Applejack calmed down. "Right." Big Mac grabbed Applejack and hugged her. "We all love you, AJ. If there's anything, anything we can do, just say the word and we'll be there." crack Applejack winced, but this time Big Mac didn't see. "I love y'all too. And I appreciate your support." They broke the hug. "I hope you get a good night's sleep." Applejack smiled. "You and me both, Big Mac. You and me both." Big Mac left Applejack's room as she tucked herself in and set her alarm for early morning chores. Despite worries of having the same nightmare, Applejack slowly fell asleep.